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# How To Update A Rust Server

To update a Rust server, **stop the server, run steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 258550 validate +quit to download the new build, then update Oxide (uMod) to the matching version and restart.** On a hosting control panel, use the Update or Reinstall option instead, and check that your plugins still load.

This guide is for Rust server owners running a self-hosted Windows or Linux server, or one on a control panel. It covers the update commands, updating Oxide, and fixing a server that breaks or won’t show in the server list after a Rust update.

## How to Update a Rust Server (Quick Steps)

1. Access the [Apollo Panel](https://control.sparkedhost.us/).

2. Stop the server

3. [Back up](https://help.sparkedhost.com/en/article/how-to-backup-your-server-2zb28p/) your files.

4. Head over to the **Settings** tab.

5. Hit **Reinstall Server** without deleting the files.

6. Start the server.

### (If Using A Dedicated Server) Update With SteamCMD (Windows and Linux)

#### Windows

1. Open **Command Prompt** or **PowerShell**.

2. Go to the folder where **SteamCMD** is installed.

3. Run the following command, changing the folder to where your Rust server is installed:

```
steamcmd +force_install_dir "C:\rustserver" +login anonymous +app_update 258550 validate +quit
```

1. Wait for it to finish.

#### Linux

1. Log in as the user that runs your Rust server.

2. Run the following command, changing the folder to your install path:

```
steamcmd +force_install_dir /home/steam/rust_server/ +login anonymous +app_update 258550 validate +quit
```

1. Wait for the download to finish.

### Update Oxide to Match the New Build

1. Go to the [uMod website](https://umod.org/games/rust) and download the latest **Oxide Rust** build.

2. Extract the zip file.

3. Copy the files into your Rust server’s root folder to overwrite.

If Oxide hasn’t released a build for the newest Rust version yet, your plugins may not load until it does. Wait for the update instead of forcing it.

### Restart and Check the Console and Log

1. Start your server.

2. As the server starts, you should see Oxide loading, followed by your plugins.

3. Look for **red errors** or plugin names marked as **failed**.

4. If something looks wrong, open the log. If you start the server with \`-logFile "output.txt"\`, the main log is in that file, and Oxide’s plugin logs are in \`oxide/logs\`.

5. Type \`status\` in the console to confirm the server is running.

6. Join the game, find your server in the list, and test your plugins.

## Automating Rust Server Updates (Using The Batch File)

On Windows, a batch file lets you update with one click so you don’t have to type the command every time.

1. Open Notepad and paste in the following, changing both folder paths:

```
@echo off
echo Updating Rust server...
"C:\steamcmd\steamcmd.exe" +force_install_dir "C:\rustserver" +login anonymous +app_update 258550 validate +quit
echo Update finished. Update Oxide, then start the server.
pause
```

1. Choose **File > Save As**, set the file type to **All Files**, and name it \`update.bat\`.

2. Stop the server, then double-click \`update.bat\` to run it.

3. When it finishes, install the latest Oxide and start the server.